Ribbon-shifting mechanism.



c. SPIRO RIBBON SHIFTING mncgmsm. APPLICATION FILED IMAYHZB, 1909.

9355280, Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Affomey O. SPIRO. RIBBON SHIPPING MECHANISM. APPLIOATIQN 11.31) MAY 26,1909.

Paganini! Sept.28,1909.

Al/orney CHARLES SPIRO, QF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RIBBON-SHIFTING MECHANISMI.

Application filed May 26, 1,909. Serial No. 498,566.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES Srnzo, citi-Z zen of the United States,residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, hayeinvented certain new and useful Improvements in. Ribbon-ShiftingMechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a ribbon shifting mechanism, and particularlyto means for varying the extent of-movement of the ribbon and, adaptedfor use in connection with polychrome ribbons so as to present either.color thereof in the path of the type bar.

The invention has foran object to provide a novel and improvedconstruction by which the extent of travel of the ribbon vibrator:

may be varied, and comprises a rock shaft vibrator.

A further obyect of the invention is to provide means by which theribbon vibrator may be connected and disconnected from the rock shaft sothat in the depression 'of the key lever the ribbon is not. shifted intothe path of the key which condition of use is most convenient inmimeographing.

()ther and'further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter fully set forth and the novel, features thereof defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawing .'Figure 1 is a central vertical section showing theapplication of the invention; Fig. 2 is a detail bottom perspective ofthe rock shaft connections Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section of theseparts; Fig.4 is a detail enlarged section on line 44, Fig.5; Fig. 5 is avertical section on line 55, Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective ofthe connecting bar for the ribbon vibrator; Fig. 7 is a diagram showingthe path of. the type relative to the ribbon in difi'erent adjustmentsof the vibrator.

Referring to the drawing, 10 designates the frame of a typewriter whichmay be of any desired construction or configuration and in which the keylevers 11 are pivotally mounted at 12 and held in elevated position bymeans of springs 13. These key levers control the type bars in the usualmanner. Beneath the levers l1 and pivotally mounted provided with alever arm having a bail mounted thereon for movement toward and from thepivot of said shaft and adapted to be engaged by the key lever to thusdetermine theextent of oscillation of the ribbon comprising the pivotingof the bail by means in the frame is a rock shaft 14 having the leverarms 15 upon which the universal bail or bar 16 is mounted and isnormally held in contact with the key levers by means of the tensionspring 17 connected to one of the lever arms. This rock shaft is alsoprovided with the'central' arm 18 ,to the side face 1.9 of which'theusual dog mechanism 20 isattached, as shown in Fig. 1. The dogmechanismcoiiperateswith an escapement 21 in Specification oi Letters Patent.Patented Sept. 28, 1909,

the usual manner to control the travel of For the purpose of varying theextent of oscillation of the ribbon vibrator 26 the bail is movablymounted upon the lever arms of the rock shaft, one form of such mountlngof the lugs 27 extending therefrom to receive the pivot 28 at the outerend of the lever arm. The bail thus swings toward and from the axis ofthe rock shaft, and for the purpose of allowing that movement the underface of the key levers may be recessed. as shown at. 29. The central arm18 isprovidcd upon its under surface with a depending lug 30 to receivethe pivoting lug 27 from the bail, and the upper face of this arm isformed with a recessed portion 31 having the opposite contact walls 32and 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, which provide a firm support for thebail 16 ineither of its adjusted posit-ions.

The rock shaft 14 is provided with a. series of pivoting lugs34 at theopposite side from the arm 18 and between these lugs the ribbon vibratorarm 26 is pivotally mounted upon the bolt 35. Intermediate of thesepivoting lugs is an extended locking member 362*provided with alongitudinally extending slot adapted to receive the connecting bar 37which also passes through the slots 38 in the angularly disposed ends 39of the ribbon shift levers 26. This connecting bar 3?, as shown in Fig.6, is provided with slots 40 and 41 through which the screws or pins 42and 43, respectively, pass to retain the bar in proper position andlimit the travel there-11 44 from the rock shaft 14. The outer end ofthe bar 37 is depressed and formed witha hand hold45 by which it may beconveniently shifted. This bar is also provided with a cutaway portion46 adapted to be shifted in alinement with the short finger 4L7 dis osedat one side of the slot 38 of the ribbon vibrator. When in the positionshown in Figs. 4 and 5, the free end of the bar 37 is withdrawn from oneof the slots 38, while I the slot 46 inthe bar is brought into alinement with the finger 47. The vibrator lever 26 is of usual constructionand adapted to contact with the frame at18 when at rest. When shifted inthe opposite direction the pawl 45) carried by the lever 26 engages andfeeds the ratchet wheel 50 thus producing through the usual connectionsa step by step movement of the ribbon spool 51 from which the ribbon 52passes through the ribbon holder 53 to the opposite spool in the usualone end of the bail, this connection being of a loose character by meansof the spaced nuts 59 wlnichpermit the swinging movement of thebail. Thebail in-its downward move ment contacts with the spring arm (30 which isattachedto the rear of the machine frame and guided in its movement by adepending post M. This arm effects a yielding or cushioning movement inthe depressionof the bail through the key levers.

Fig. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the path of the type upon the ribbon52. When the bail is adjusted at its greatest distance from the axis ofthe rock shaft the shortest extent of vibration of the ribbon arm issecured and impression is made upon the portion 62 of the ribbon, whichis preferably used for the black impressions. YVhen the bail is adjustedat its position closest to the pivot, the longest vibration of the shaftlever is secured and the portion 63 of the ribbon is brought into thepath of the type bar. When it is desired to operate the typewriterwithout any impression from the ribbon the conne'cting'bar is pulledoutward to disconnect theribbon vibrator from the'rock shaft andtherefore no impression is made upon the ribbon,.as in mimeogra hingwork. i

In the operation of the machine, the bail is normally shifted at itsposition farthest removed from th'e arm of the rock shaft so asto'produce the shortest area of vibration, and in this position the bailcontacts with i g .the cushionin sprin When it is desired to change thecol b or, the bail is shifted from the I full line position, shown inFig. 5, to that indicated by dotted lines, thus moving the point ofcontact with the key lever nearer the axis of the rock shaft'andproducing a longer vibration of the ribbon shifter to present the colordesired in the path of the type. It will be obvious that the degree orextent of this movement of the bail may be varied relative to the areaofcolor of a polychrome ribbon. When it is desired to avoid an impressionon the ribbon, as in mimeographing work, the connecting bar may beshifted to disconnect the ribbon shifter from operation by the rockshaft and bail. These partsare' adapted to be operated by conven- Iiently disposed means at one side of the machine, and the mounting ofthe bail to' shift towardand from the axis of the rock shaft provides afixed connection with the shaftmovable into contact with supportingwalls by which the bail is held in its adjusted position owing to itsdisposition at an angle to the under face of the key lever. 'It willtherefore be seen that the invention presents a simple, economicallyconstructed and very ethcient form of ribbon shifting mechanism adaptedto be carried by a single rock shaft and applicable to machines alreadyconstructed; and provides a positive means for varying the extent ofvibration of the ribbon arms by shifting the point of leverage thereof.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim anddesire to I secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a typewriter, a frame, akey lever mounted therein, a rock shaft provided with a lever arm, aribbon vibrator, means for supporting said vibrator and actuating'thesame from said rock shaft,'and a 'bail mounted upon said arm and movabletoward and from the axis of said shaft to determine the extent ofoscillation thereof.

In a typewriter, a frame, a v mounted therein, a rock' shaft providedwith a lever arm, a ribbon vibrator, means for supporting said vibratorand actuating the same from said"rock shaft, and a .bail pivotallymounted upon said'arm and movable toivard and from the axis of said shaft.'

3. In a typewriter, a, frame, a key lever 1n ounted therein a rocloshaft provided with a lever arm, a ribbon vibrator, means for sup 4. Ina typewriter, a frame, a key levermounted therein, a rock shaft providedwith a lever arm, a ribbon vibrator, means for sup porting said vibratorand actuating the same from said rock shaft, a bail'pivotally mountedupon said arm and 'movable' toward and key lever and from the axis ofsaid shaft, abutments carried by said arm to engage said bail in itsshifted positions, a cushioning device disposed beneath the bail in oneof its shifted positions, a feed dog carried by said'arin, and acooperating GSC211)GiIlCI1t f01' said dog.

6. In a typewriter, a frame, a key lever mounted therein, a rock shaftprovided with a lever arm, a ribbon vibrator, means for supporting saidvibrator, 'a bail mounted -upon'said arm and movable toward and from theaxis of said shaft to determine the extent of oscillation thereof, andmeans for connecting said vibrator and rock shaft for 1 oscillation bysaid bail.

7. In aty'pewriter, a frame, a key lever;

mou'nted therein, a rock shaft provided with a lever arm, a ribbon-vilvator, means for supporting said vibrator, a bail .niounted uponsaid arm and movable toward and from'the axis of said shaft to determinethe extent of oscillation thereof, and a" connecting bar mounted formovement into and out of engagement 'with said vibrator and rock' shaft.

8. In a typewriter, a-frame, a key lever mounted therein. a rock shaftprovided with a leverarm, a ribbon, vibrator, means for supporting saidvibrator, a bail mounted upon said arm'and movable toward and from theaxis of said shaft to determine the extent of oscillation thereof,.and aconnecting slide bar mounted to engage a lever arm from said vibratorand rock shaft.

9. In a typewriter, a frame, a key lever n ounted therein, a. rock shaftmounted in said frame. a ribbon vibrating lever coin llttftt'tl to saidrock shaft, and a bail shiftably mounted upon said rock shaft formovement toward and from the axis thereof.

10.11: a ribbon shifting mechanism, a rock shaft, a supporting frametherefor, a leve arm extended from said shaft and pro- -vided withopposite.abutinents at the free rock shaft, a supporting frame therefor,a lever arm extended from said shaft and provided with oppositeabntmeuts atthe free end thereof, a bail having a depending pivoting lugmounted at the free end of said arm, a shifting lever, and a link havinga loose connection with said bail and said shifting arm. u

.13. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a rock shaft, a supporting frametherefor, a lever arm extended from said shaft and mo vided withopposite abutments atthe free emi -thereof, a bail movably mounted totravel between said abutments. pivoting lugs upon theopposite side ofsaid shaft from said arm, a ribbon vibrating lever pivoted in said lugs,a locking member carried by said rock shaft ad acent said vibrator, andmeans for connecting said membe and vibrator.

14. In a, ribbon shifting mechanism, a i'oeltshaft, a supporting'frainetherefor, a lever arm extended'from said shaft and provided-withoppositeJabutmeut's at the free end thereof, a bail movabiy mounted totravel between said abutments, pivoting lugs upon the oppositeside ofsaid shaft from said arm, a ribbon vibrating lever pivoted in saidlugs,a locking member carried by said rock shaft adjacent said. vibrator, and'shiftable connections cooperating with said memberto engage anddisengage said vibrator.

15. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a rock shaft, a supporting frametherefor, a lever arm extended from said shaft and provided withopposite abutinent's at the free end thereof, a bail movablymountedto-travel" betweeirsaid abut-ments, pivoting lugs upon shaft adjacentsaid vibrator, and a slidable" connecting bar cooperatingwith saidmemher to engage and disengagea lever arm carried by said vibrator.

16. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a rock 'shaft provided with pivotinglugs a supporting frame for said shaft, means for oscillating saidshaft, a ribbon vibrator having a lever arm pivoted in said lugs, alongitudina-lly slotted locking member, and a conneeting bar slidablymounted to, move into the slotted member to engage and disengage the armof said vibrator.

' 17. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a rock shaft provided withpivoting lugs, a supporting frame for said shaft, means foroseillatingsai d shaft, a ribbon vibrator having a lever arm pivoted insaid lugs, a longitu dinally slotted locking member, a slidinglv mountedcourier-ting bar mounted to move.

into the slotted member and provided with a' recess, and a fingercarried by said vitn'ator arm and adapted to aline with said recess whenthe vibrator is disconnected.

18. A ribbon shifting mechanism comprisarms, pivoting lugs carried bysaid shaft opposite said arms, a ribbon shifting lever mounted in saidlugs, a longitudinally slotted locking member extending parallel to saidlugs, and a connecting barslidingly mounted to move into said slot toengage the vibrator lever. i

20. A ribbon shifting mechanism comprising a rock shaft having aplurality of lever arms, a bail pivotally mounted upon saidarms,'pivoting lugs carried by said shaft opposite said arms, a ribbonshifting lever mounted in said lugs, a longitudinally slotted lockingmember extending parallel to said lugs, a connecting bar slidinglymounted to move into said slot to engage the vibrator lever, and a guidearm carried by said rock shaft to support said connecting bar.

21. A ribbon shifting mechanism comprisi nga rock shaft provided withmeans for oscillating'the same, pivoting lugs'carricd by said shaftopposite said oscillating means, a ribbon vibrating level: mounted onsaid lugs and having a slotted angle arm the upper wall of which is ofless length than the lower wall thereof, and a cooperating connectingbar slidingly mounted and provided with a re cess adapted to be alinedwith the shorter wall of said angle arm.

22. A ribbon shifting mechanism comprising a rock shaftprovided withmeans for oscillating the same, pivoting lugs carried by saidshafttmposite said oscillating means, a ribbon vibrating lever mountedon said lugs and having a slotted angle arm the upper wall of which isof less length than the lower wall thereof,a cooperating connecting barslidingly mounted and provided with a recess adapted to be alined withthe shorter wall of said angle arm, and a longitudinally slotted lockingmember disposed intermediate said pivoting lugs and adapted to receivesaid connecting bar.

23. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a

rock shaft, a ribbon vibrating lever carried thereby, a lever armpro1ected from said shaft, a bail pivotally mounted upon said rockshaft, a ribbon vibrating lever carried thereby, a lever arm projectedfrom said shaft, a bail pivotally mounted upon said arm to swing towardand from the axis of said shaft, tension means for normally raising saidarm and bail, and a key lever provided with a recessed under facedisposed in the path of travel of said ball. I

25. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a suportin frame arock shaft mountedtherein P a: 7 a

a. ribbon vibrating lever,carried by said shaft, a lever armextendedfrom said shaft, a bail pivotally mounted on said arm to swing,toward and'from' the axis of said shaft, and a flat cushioning springsecured to said frame and extended beneath the position of the bail whenfarthest removed from the axis of the shaft.

26. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a supporting frame, a rock shaftmounted therein,

a' ribbon vibrating lever carried by said i shaft, a lever arm extendedfrom said shaft,

a bail pivotally mounted on said arm to swing toward and from the axisof said shaft, a flat cdshioning spring seciired to.

said frame and extended beneath the osition of the bail when farthestremoved rom the axis of said shaft, and a dependin guide post, carriedby the frame and exten ing through said spring.

- 27. In a ribbon shifting mechanism, a supporting frame, arock shaftmounted therein a. ribbon vibrating lever carried by said shaft, a leverarm extended from said shaft, a bail pivotally mounted on Said arm toswing toward and from the axis of said shaft, :1 fiat cushionmg sprlngsecured to said frame and extended beneath the osition of the bail whenfarthest removed cm the axis of said shaft, a key lever mounted abovesaid bail, and a'tension spring for normally holding said bail 'incontact with said lever. I 1

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

f CHARLES srreo. WVitnesses:

Enwn. GRANT E. Jones, SIronuN.

